Comment Dow indoctrination, "perception is reality" (Score 1) 363
When I graduated from college in 1991, I took a job as a programmer at Dow Chemical. At that time, they sent all new hires to a week-long indoctrination course, consisting mostly of how to carefully word memos and email so that The Company could not be harmed if the memos were brought up in court. This was during the time when their silicone breast implants were failing and customers were suing (and winning).
At first it all sounded like good business sense but gradually I realized what they were saying. One session drilled home the idea that "perception equals reality" - and therefore, if can make the public to PERCEIVE them as being safe and clean, and all will be good.
In other words, don't fix the problem, just word things so that The Company looks like it's doing the right thing, and so that they cannot be held liable for damages that it caused.
At first it all sounded like good business sense but gradually I realized what they were saying. One session drilled home the idea that "perception equals reality" - and therefore, if can make the public to PERCEIVE them as being safe and clean, and all will be good.
In other words, don't fix the problem, just word things so that The Company looks like it's doing the right thing, and so that they cannot be held liable for damages that it caused.
